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Tuesday, August 13, 2013

For anyone serious about writing and/or illustrating
for children and teens, membership in the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) can be very helpful. The SCBWI
is an international organization that provides resources and support for
children’s writers and illustrators on every step of the journey to
publication. Membership in the SCBWI provides opportunities for networking with industry professionals; connections to other writers and illustrators through critique groups, conferences, and discussion boards; access to THE BOOK (the organization's comprehensive publication and market guide); the support of a professional guild for children's writers and illustrators; and much more (to read more, click here).I have been a member of SCBWI since 2004, and have been active in
the North Central/Northeast Texas chapter in Dallas/Fort Worth as well as the Houston,
TX chapter. Currently, I am active in the Carolinas SCBWI chapter. I met the
ladies in my wonderful online critique group at a SCBWI conference years ago in
Texas, and discovered my in-person critique group through the Carolina
chapter’s list serve. I have found some of my closest writing friends and supporters
through this wonderful organization, and am thankful for the doors the SCBWI has helped open for me!

All of this is a prelude to my focus
today--the upcoming 21st Annual SCBWI Carolina’s Fall Conference,
which will be held in Charlotte, NC September 27-29.
This year’s conference includes writing and illustrating Intensives by industry
experts, general and breakout sessions that cover everything from authors’
first ideas to editors’ first impressions, an Autograph Party and Portfolio
Showcase, a Saturday Social, an Author’s Round Table, late night critique
groups, and much, much more! For full conference details click here!

This is a fabulous lineup, and I can already tell
that my biggest dilemma will be deciding which breakout sessions to attend! I
am also looking forward to reconnecting with friends I only see once a year,
and making new author/illustrator/editor/agent/etc. friends. (Can you tell how excited I am?!?)

If you are not a member of the SCBWI and are
interested in writing and/or illustrating books for children and teens, do
yourself a favor and find your local SCBWI chapter here. Membership is well worth the investment!

There are several other great organizations out there
for writers, and many of these also present great conferences
each year. Please stop by next Tuesday, August 20 for a related
post discussing other conference opportunities for children’s writers, and how
to get the most out of your “conference experience.” Happy Writing!

I can't take credit for organizing any conferences so far, Mirka, but am definitely a veteran attender/supporter. Now that my boys are older I hope to become more involved in that aspect, as well. Our leaders work SO hard each year to make each conference great, and deserve HUGE appreciation! = )